'Young Guns' to battle for USBA featherweight title

CORPUS CHRISTI - For Miguel Angel "Mikey" Garcia, Saturday's fight at the American Bank Center could be another step up in the featherweight's rapidly rising career.

For Tomas Villa, it is yet another chance to break through against another undefeated fighter.

The two will battle in the main event on the "Young Guns: The Undefeated" card, which will be televised by Fox Sports Southwest. At stake is the vacant USBA featherweight title. Featured on the undercard will be Corpus Christi residents Jerry Belmontes and Alfonso Lopez, two of seven undefeated fighters on the eight-bout card.

Garcia (20-0) has 17 knockouts, including his past four fights. With the stakes increasing with each fight, Garcia said he trained accordingly for Villa (22-6-4, 14 KOs).

"So far I've trained very well for my previous fights. But this time it's a championship fight," Garcia said at Thursday's news conference. "I know it's a step up. If I win this I could land a (world) title shot by the end of the year of next year. So we put a little extra effort in the gym and I think this is the best training I've had in my career."

Fighting out of Bob Arum's Top Rank Inc. stable, Garcia has risen to No. 4 in the United States and No. 23 in the world.

Only three of his fights have gone the distance, the most recent in October 2008 when Garcia scored a unanimous eight-round decision over Walter Estrada.

"Right now it looks like everything is going very well for me. My promoter has good plans. At this level I'm just right where I want to be," said Garcia, 22. "I'm not rushing things, I don't think (Top Rank) has held me back, either. We're right at the level where we need to be and this type of opponent for me is a step up to show everybody what kind of caliber fighter I am. As far as my future fights go, if I win this I get better fights."

Fighting out of Midland, Villa, 26, has built his reputation on being a relentless brawler, and he has had stern tests in his 32 fights. Twelve fights have come against boxers with no losses and he is 5-5-2 in those bouts.

"I'm in good shape. This will be my first fight going 12 rounds so it's a test for me as well," said Villa, who was born in Mexico but has lived in Midland since 1990. "But I always give the people their money's worth. I just want to invite everybody to come out here and watch this fight."

Longtime Fort Worth promoter Lester Bedford, the on-site coordinator for Top Rank, pointed out to both fighters they should be prepared.

"It's veteran fighters that turn undefeated fighters into fighters with a loss. We've got some good matchups going on Saturday night," Bedford said. "Tomas Villa is one of the outstanding featherweights, not just in Texas but across the country. The fans are in for a great fight.

"Mikey, let me tell you, I've seen him fight a lot. This is not going to be an easy fight, I'm telling you that right now," Bedford said to Garcia, and then turning toward Villa on the podium. "Of course, Tomas, I'm telling you it's not going to be an easy fight, either."

"Young Guns: The Undefeated"

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: American Bank Center

TV: Fox Sports Network's "Top Rank Live" bi-weekly show as part of the Tecate Texas Boxing Series

TICKETS: $21.50, $31.50, $51.50, available at the ABC ticket office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 800-745-3000 or online at www.tickemaster.com. VIP packages are available by calling 817-296-4546 on on-line at www.americanbankcenter.com.